Social Work Month 2026: Uplift. Defend. Transform.

March is Social Work Month, a national observance recognizing the essential role social workers play in strengthening individuals, families, and communities.

In 2026, the L.A. County Aging & Disabilities Department (AD) proudly uplifts the work of Adult Protective Services (APS) social work professionals who protect older adults and dependent adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation every day across Los Angeles County.

Throughout the month, we celebrate the compassion, expertise, and unwavering commitment of social workers who ensure safety, dignity, and justice for our most vulnerable residents.

Campaign Overview

Social Work Month has been celebrated nationally since 1963 by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Each year, communities across the country recognize the profession’s impact on public safety, health, and well-being.

The 2026 theme “Uplift. Defend. Transform.” captures the daily work of APS social workers in Los Angeles County who:

Uplift individuals and families during moments of crisis

Defend the safety, rights, and dignity of older and dependent adults

Transform lives and systems through advocacy, coordination, and care

APS social workers serve residents in every community across L.A. County, responding to reports of abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, and self-neglect involving older adults and dependent adults.

Learn more about APS: ad.lacounty.gov/services/adult-protective-services

Campaign Goals

Uplift APS social workers by celebrating their service and commitment to protecting vulnerable residents.

Defend the profession by increasing public understanding of APS and its critical role in safeguarding older and dependent adults.

Transform public perception of social work as skilled, essential, and deeply rooted in community safety and well-being.

Celebrate social workers across Los Angeles County, with emphasis on APS professionals.

Educate the public about APS’  responsibility in responding to reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older and dependent adults.

Highlight the impact of social work in strengthening community safety, dignity, and independence.

Key Messages

APS social workers uplift vulnerable residents every day.

APS social workers defend safety, rights, and dignity, especially for older adults, dependent adults, and people with disabilities.

APS social workers transform lives and systems across Los Angeles County.

Top Facts (Why Social Work Matters: By the Numbers)

Reliable national data underscores the scale and impact of social work:

Over 810,000 social workers are employed nationwide, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.  bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm

Employment of social workers is projected to grow faster than average over the coming decade, reflecting increased demand for services supporting aging populations, mental health, and community safety. bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm

An estimated 1 in 10 older adults experience elder abuse each year, according to the National Council on Aging (NCOA).

Many cases go unreported (only 1 in 24 cases are reported to authorities). ncoa.org/article/get-the-facts-on-elder-abuse

Adult Protective Services programs operate in every state to investigate reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older and dependent adults. acl.gov/programs/elder-justice/national-adult-protective-services-technical-assistance-resource-center

These facts highlight why APS social workers are critical to public safety, health equity, and aging with dignity.

APS Voices: Uplift. Defend. Transform.

In honor of Social Work Month 2026, the Aging & Disabilities Department is featuring APS social workers from across L.A. County in a series of short videos. Each spotlight shares firsthand reflections on:

What uplifting a client or community looks like in practice.

How APS social workers defend customers and why that matters.

How this work helps people live with dignity and independence.

These stories bring visibility to the skill, empathy, and complex decision-making that define APS practice.

NOTE: To view all the videos in the playlist, click the icon in the top right corner of the video frame, next to the arrow button. This will open the full list of featured stories.

NOTE: Closed captions (CC), an interactive transcript (for screen readers), and language options in several languages are available by watching the video directly on YouTube.

Nota: Subtítulos cerrados (CC), una transcripción interactiva (para lectores de pantalla) y opciones de idioma en varios idiomas están disponibles mirando el video directamente en YouTube.

Engagement Tips

To help amplify this campaign:

Share APS spotlight videos and graphics on social media.

Thank any social worker you know publicly, during Social Work Month!

Include #SWMonth2026 in internal newsletters and communications.

Invite leadership to recognize social workers at staff meetings.

Learn more about APS and share educational resources with your community.

Spread the Word on Social Media

Help us build connection. Share, tag, post, and amplify.

AD Handles:

• Facebook & Instagram: @LACounty4AD
• X (Twitter) & LinkedIn: @LACountyAD

Use Relevant Hashtags

#SWMonth2026

#UpliftDefendTransform

#LACountyAD

#APSSocialWorkers

#SocialWorkMonth

Join Us

Social Work Month is an opportunity to recognize the professionals who strengthen our communities every day.

This March, join the #LACountyAD in celebrating the APS social workers who uplift, defend, and transform lives across Los Angeles County.

Sample Social Media Posts

Feel free to adapt to your organization’s voice and style.

Sample Post 1

This March, we’re uplifting the #APS social workers who protect older and dependent adults every day. Join us in celebrating Social Work Month with @LACountyAD. #SWMonth2026

Sample Post 2

APS social workers uplift lives, defend dignity, and transform communities across the @CountyofLA. Thank you @LACountyAD social workers. #SWMonth2026  #UpliftDefendTransform

Sample Post 3

Older and dependent adults deserve safety and respect. This #SocialWorkMonth, we honor the @LACountyAD #APS professionals who make that possible across #LACounty. #SWMonth2026

Sample Post 4 (When sharing Word Cloud artwork/ graphic)

What word describes APS social workers? This @LACountyAD’s #SocialWorkMonth WordCloud celebrates the values that define APS across #LACounty. Thank you social workers for uplifting and defending our communities every day!

#SWMonth2026 #UpliftDefendTransform #SocialWorkMonth